Cracens betta
Betta cracens
Also known as Slender fighter, Blue spotted betta
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 4.5–6.5
- Adult size
- 2.8 in (7 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal (75 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Jambi lowlands, Sumatra, Indonesia
- Family
- Osphronemidae
Overview
The cracens betta is a slim, pike-shaped mouthbrooder for a covered species tank of around 75 liters, kept as a single pair or a small group with plenty of structure. It patrols the middle water and is mostly peaceful, but it is a capable hunter, so tankmates should be calm and too large to swallow, and small shrimp and nano fish are not safe with it. Break up the tank with wood, roots, and dried leaves so individuals can hold their own space. Feed meaty live and frozen foods, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and chopped prawn. Keep the lid tight and gap-free, as these bettas jump readily.
In the wild
Betta cracens is found in lowland blackwater and peat swamp streams of Jambi province in Sumatra, Indonesia, water that is soft, tannin-stained, and acidic. Set up a shaded tank with driftwood, leaf litter, and quiet flow. Hold the pH from 4.5 to 6.5 and the temperature from 23 to 27 degrees Celsius. Dried leaves and botanicals keep the water dark and the fish settled.
Good to know
Betta cracens sits in the family Osphronemidae and was described by Tan and Ng in 2005. It reaches about 7 centimeters and is a paternal mouthbrooder of the pugnax group, the male incubating eggs in his throat for around two weeks. Breeding is hard and best attempted with an established pair in stable, soft, acidic water. The name is Latin for slender or trim, describing its lean, elongate build.
Did you know
Its species name, cracens, is a Latin word for slender and graceful, and the fish earns it: among the mouthbrooding fighters it has one of the leanest, most pike-like profiles in the group.
Common questions
What size tank does a Cracens betta need?
A Cracens betta needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Cracens betta need?
Cracens betta are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.
How big do Cracens betta get?
An adult Cracens betta reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).
Where to buy
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